POLAND A GREAT STATE      373
implications did not escape the notice of the Polish Government
or people. In the French Senate Laval said on December 18, that
he had given a number of explanations to Poland regarding the
pact which should leave no doubt in her mind that every considera-
tion was accorded to her legitimate preoccupations. Laval read
out the text of the agreement with the Soviet which, it was seen,
provided for the close diplomatic collaboration of its signatories;
a step towards a military alliance. The attitude of Poland to
the Eastern Pact underwent no change.
Towards the end of the year Beck paid private visits to Denmark
and Sweden, with whose statesmen he discussed the problems
of the Baltic Sea. The Scandinavian group of States stood outside
the Eastern Pact and their more direct interest was in the main-
tenance of the freedom of that sea, which was also a fundamental
interest of Poland, and enough to bring them together. Doubtless
the bearings of the Polish-German Ten-years Pact on that question
were fully considered, and Beck was able to satisfy them that
the pact signified no change in Poland's Baltic policy, which was
identical with their own. A growing Swedish trade with Gydnia
also facilitated good relations.
Poland's trade relations with England which had been affected
by the bacon "quota" that had come into force in November 1932
were under review during 1934; negotiations between the two
countries commenced in June of that year, and were continued,
with intervals, to February 27, 1935, the result being an Anglo-
Polish Commercial Treaty, in operation on March 14. A coal
agreement was signed in December 1934. For 1934 Polish exports
to the United Kingdom amounted to £7438,308, and imports
from the United Kingdom to £4,262,614, the balance in favour
of Poland being £3,175,694. By opening more markets in Poland
to British enterprise the general effect of the commercial treaty was
an increase of British imports into Poland, her favourable balance
being reduced in 1935 by about a million pounds. Poland's
total imports in 1934 were valued at 797,824,000 zlotys and exports
at 975,660,000 zlotys, leaving an "active" trade bakiiee of 178
millions.